“Girl, Stop Apologizing” Review

Just when you think you are exclusive like you got the latest iPhone or you tried a hip restaurant, the biggest thing no longer becomes exclusive. Well, Barnes and Noble had the special edition of “Girl Stop Apologizing” in select stores as well as other retailers received shipments early, where some copies have been sold. So it’s a crazy deal, but Rachel Hollis’ crew decided the book release date will be moved up a week to March 5th. It’s a joy to know the world can obtain a copy of this book early.

I discovered Hollis after I had lost my grandpa. In a somber state, I read “Rising Strong” by Brene Brown, “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert and then “Girl Wash Your Face” by Rachel Hollis. It made the bright sunshine at my favorite place to read by the pool in the summer feel a little bit more enjoyable like before. That book pushed me slowly out of the state where I was like, “now how do I move on.”

Other than falling asleep after reading a few pages tired at night, this book was a quick read. I read 3/4ths of it within a 5-hour time frame on a Saturday. I loved the three components that it was made up: excuses to let go of, behaviors to adopt, and skills to acquire. Even though I’m not a parent, I enjoy the content she produces. “So I refuse to teach them that you should pursue your dreams but simultaneously be ashamed of them,” Hollis writes in Excuse 8: What will they think?

Even though I’m not a parent, I enjoy the content she produces. “So I refuse to teach my children that you should pursue your dreams but simultaneously be ashamed of them,” Hollis writes in Excuse 8: What will they think? That’s quite a powerful statement. We need to forget the pressures the rest of the world has on us while we want to simply achieve her goals. I feel as though we should not even be afraid to tell our best friends and siblings our dreams.

This is a book that a lot of people are not going to like to hear because it is not only for discipline, but it is about finding a way to make things happen. Yeah, you might be uncomfortable during the process, but it deals with communication and planning. The truth is not one that people will like to hear.

This book made me think of a lot of strong women I know who are working women that are involved in the community. First, it’s easy to ridicule someone with a nanny or who goes on a date night, but it’s very important. I know people argue about Hollis’ once a week date night rule, but it has helped a couple I know whose child underwent cancer treatments. Lisa’s mom suggested that they have a date night once a week to forget about their worries. Between balancing a sick child and clients, Lisa along with her husband Derek made date night work. Also, I babysat for a family when their nanny was not able to watch their kids. When I was at Leila’s house she was in and out checking on her girls where she listened to all that was on my mind. I just knew I was helping her with the daily tasks.

In the end, I feel as though Hollis’ content is about creating support for one another. However, it begins with ourselves. There’s something about reading Hollis’ content where you look around then suddenly your house is cleaner, you have ingested more water, and there’s a project you planned to do that’s completed. With this book, I definitely want to focus on writing more not for clients like I have in the past, but for myself.

Also, one thing I might add is that BuzzFeed mentioned how Hollis had copied other writers. In this book, Rachel quotes many authors including Jen Hatmaker. Rachel does have a whole crew that helps her put together content. I do not stand by cheating at all. However, I have written down ideas to turn around and see someone else with the same idea so stuff like this happens, but she gave credit in “Girl Stop Apologizing.”